Wednesday, January 30, 2008

UpDate: 2014 ASD Saboteur Bullies Fail at Muzzling Villas' Verifiable Facts & Truth











UpDated: Today
Left to right: "Dangerous physical injury" to Bill Villa threatener Mike Molovinsky, admitted internet identity impersonator and dominatrix/prostitute Riley Schillaci, and LVS "dais denied" former Allentown City Council candidate and flim-flam artist Alfonso Todd.

Cyberstalkers Keep Trying to Bully The Villas into Silence, see Related Story

Editor's Note: The illegal cyber identity impersonation and cyber bullying activities of Riley Schillaci are currently being celebrated and defended at Mike Molovinsky's blog by Alfonso Todd & Gina Blevins, Brew Works co-owner Rich Fegley, attorney Malcolm Gross's stepson Rolf Oeler, and (incredibly) Allentown School District Board member (for now) Scott Armstrong.

Buttinsky Putz Mike Molovinsky: let's review the F-A-C-T-S, as I've thoroughly documented them for the Allentown School District (ASD), and that we even sent you courtesy copies of, to give to your lawyer, because a New York state law was broken here.  

An admitted (and she admitted these things in comments at your blog) internet identity impersonator and dominatrix/prostitute from Rochester NY, Riley Schillaci, impersonating a "very concerned ASD parent" with children in the district, "A. Vazquez," on November 27, 2013 emailed the ASD demanding they fire my wife Angie Villa (left), a substitute teacher in the ASD, for "bullying." 

The ASD investigated (they spent hours on Angie's and my blogs; we saw them on our StatMeters), they quickly exonerated Angie, and reinstated her from their brief suspension which is standard procedure during a (wink wink) "investigation." Editor's Note: We believe our being (politely) up the ASD's ass like an acid enema from day 1 greatly facilitated their expeditious exoneration and reinstatement of Angie Villa.  

Inexplicably, curiously, and unwisely, the ASD's "Doctor" Jack Clark subsequently denied us our Right-To-Know access to the accusatory "complaint email" but we acquired it anyway. 

We googled the email address on the "complaint email," QueenAlice54@Yahoo.com [Click on Sept 3, 2006] and discovered it belonged to the same person, Riley Schillaci, who had sent Angie Villa out-of-the-blue foaming at the mouth Facebook messages on 11/27/13, the same day Schillaci had sent her bullying "complaint email" to the ASD. Editor's Note: The day before, on 11/26/13, LVS reported here in a blog comment on a series of angry and threatening emails we were in the process of receiving from LVS "dais denied"Allentown City Council candidate Alfonso Todd.  

We also discovered this Riley Schillaci (who lived in Allentown for several years until recently) was associated with [see 3rd last line of credits] local flim-flam artist Alfonso Todd who lost in his bid for Allentown City Council last May, mostly because we had 'outed' him here at LVS for having two (2) outstanding warrants for his arrest [Driving w/ Revoked License] and for having a business partner who is a registered sex offender ... [hard copy proof documented w/ ASD & Mike Molovinsky] ... and that Alfonso and his registered sex offender business partner stage beauty pageants and fashion shows with local young women the same age as the young woman Alfonso's business partner had raped at gunpoint ... [hard copy proof documented w/ ASD & Mike Molovinsky]. 

Curiously, our local media wasn't interested in covering this Alfonso Todd/registered sex offender story [they had all received hard copy documentation proof from us well before the May election, in Feb 2013] but we felt voters had a right to know and apparently the voters appreciated knowing since Alfonso Todd came in dead last in a field of 9 candidates.  

Editor's Note: The Morning Call "newspaper"and The "Express"- Times ignored LVS's Alfonso Todd/registered sex offender exposé completely, even after we leveraged Alfonso into admitting it at his own blog. No coverage. 69 "News," curiously, and either incompetently, or outright deceitfully, glossed over it as a story only about (wink wink) "parking tickets," clumsily (and transparently) getting the story dead wrong (RIP Len Righi).    

We've subsequently speculated to the ASD that Riley Schillaci's enraged sore loser sympathy for her friend Alfonso Todd's humiliating dead last defeat last May (and Alfundo's email exasperation on 11/26/13) may have prompted Schillaci to "pay us back" on 11/27/13Whatever. Riley Schillaci broke NY state Penal Law 190.25 subdivision 4, "impersonating someone on the internet with the intention of doing harm to another person," and we'll be prosecuting Schillaci and any possible accomplices to the fullest extent of New York law. 

We also theorized to the ASD that you, buttinsky putz Mike Molovinsky may (or may not) have had a hand in this cyber libel, since you remain a curiously ardent and outspoken supporter of habitual recidivist criminal defendant and business partner with a registered sex offender, Alfonso Todd, and now Riley Schillaci as well, dutifully spewing out 100% fact-free deceit-laden "counter" blogs to our verifiably factual blogs. 

Q. Mike, where's the alleged Villa "bullying" in all this? Our accounts are all true. Verifiably factual. And thoroughly documented w/ the ASD. You certainly don't like that we've gone so public with all this but that's tough shit. And because you've interjected yourself into all this, we intend to subpoena you and put you through a grueling and hopefully humiliating deposition as well. Happy New Year.

Readers (and stalkers) ... join, follow, like, comment, and share the discussion-in-progress at My Facebook Page.

And keep checking back for LVS's explosive exposé exclusive and thrilling conclusion regarding what happens (legally) to the Lehigh Valley blogosphere cyber bully stooges who were foiled yet again in their futile attempts to silence Bill Villa Facts & Truth. This time, criminal charges from outside of colluding crony-crooked 'n cozy Lehigh and Northampton counties are involved. Oopsie.

UpDate 12/19/13 > DUMB-ASS CONFESSION 

Email, Incoming, from Riley Schillaci, 12/19/13, 6:41 pm.

Congratulations Sherlock. You cracked the case. I said in the email that ... [Redacted | Criminal Charges Pending]

Don't miss Bill Villa Facts & Truth w/ Bobby Gunther Walsh on WAEB News Talk Radio AM 790 debuting in January 2014.

Get BV on WAEB Details @ Facebook

UpDate: 2014 ASD Saboteur Bullies Fail at Muzzling Villas' Verifiable Facts & Truth











UpDated: Today
Left to right: "Dangerous physical injury" to Bill Villa threatener Mike Molovinsky, admitted internet identity impersonator and dominatrix/prostitute Riley Schillaci, and LVS "dais denied" former Allentown City Council candidate and flim-flam artist Alfonso Todd.

Cyberstalkers Keep Trying to Bully The Villas into Silence, see Related Story

Editor's Note: The illegal cyber identity impersonation and cyber bullying activities of Riley Schillaci are currently being celebrated and defended at Mike Molovinsky's blog by Alfonso Todd & Gina Blevins, Brew Works co-owner Rich Fegley, attorney Malcolm Gross's stepson Rolf Oeler, and (incredibly) Allentown School District Board member (for now) Scott Armstrong.

Buttinsky Putz Mike Molovinsky: let's review the F-A-C-T-S, as I've thoroughly documented them for the Allentown School District (ASD), and that we even sent you courtesy copies of, to give to your lawyer, because a New York state law was broken here.  

An admitted (and she admitted these things in comments at your blog) internet identity impersonator and dominatrix/prostitute from Rochester NY, Riley Schillaci, impersonating a "very concerned ASD parent" with children in the district, "A. Vazquez," on November 27, 2013 emailed the ASD demanding they fire my wife Angie Villa (left), a substitute teacher in the ASD, for "bullying." 

The ASD investigated (they spent hours on Angie's and my blogs; we saw them on our StatMeters), they quickly exonerated Angie, and reinstated her from their brief suspension which is standard procedure during a (wink wink) "investigation." Editor's Note: We believe our being (politely) up the ASD's ass like an acid enema from day 1 greatly facilitated their expeditious exoneration and reinstatement of Angie Villa.  

Inexplicably, curiously, and unwisely, the ASD's "Doctor" Jack Clark subsequently denied us our Right-To-Know access to the accusatory "complaint email" but we acquired it anyway. 

We googled the email address on the "complaint email," QueenAlice54@Yahoo.com [Click on Sept 3, 2006] and discovered it belonged to the same person, Riley Schillaci, who had sent Angie Villa out-of-the-blue foaming at the mouth Facebook messages on 11/27/13, the same day Schillaci had sent her bullying "complaint email" to the ASD. Editor's Note: The day before, on 11/26/13, LVS reported here in a blog comment on a series of angry and threatening emails we were in the process of receiving from LVS "dais denied"Allentown City Council candidate Alfonso Todd

We also discovered this Riley Schillaci (who lived in Allentown for several years until recently) was associated with [see 3rd last line of credits] local flim-flam artist Alfonso Todd who lost in his bid for Allentown City Council last May, mostly because we had 'outed' him here at LVS for having two (2) outstanding warrants for his arrest [Driving w/ Revoked License] and for having a business partner who is a registered sex offender ... [hard copy proof documented w/ ASD & Mike Molovinsky] ... and that Alfonso and his registered sex offender business partner stage beauty pageants and fashion shows with local young women the same age as the young woman Alfonso's business partner had raped at gunpoint ... [hard copy proof documented w/ ASD & Mike Molovinsky]. 

Curiously, our local media wasn't interested in covering this Alfonso Todd/registered sex offender story [they had all received hard copy documentation proof from us well before the May election, in Feb 2013] but we felt voters had a right to know and apparently the voters appreciated knowing since Alfonso Todd came in dead last in a field of 9 candidates.  

Editor's Note: The Morning Call "newspaper"and The "Express"- Times ignored LVS's Alfonso Todd exposé completely, even after we leveraged Alfonso into admitting it at his own blog. No coverage. 69 "News," curiously, and either incompetently, or outright deceitfully, glossed over it as a story only about (wink wink) "parking tickets," clumsily (and transparently) getting the story dead wrong (RIP Len Righi).    

We've subsequently speculated to the ASD that Riley Schillaci's enraged sore loser sympathy for her friend Alfonso Todd's humiliating dead last defeat last May (and Alfundo's email exasperation on 11/26/13) may have prompted Schillaci to "pay us back" on 11/27/13Whatever. Riley Schillaci broke NY state Penal Law 190.25 subdivision 4, "impersonating someone on the internet with the intention of doing harm to another person," and we'll be prosecuting Schillaci and any possible accomplices to the fullest extent of New York law. 

We also theorized to the ASD that you, buttinsky putz Mike Molovinsky may (or may not) have had a hand in this cyber libel, since you remain a curiously ardent and outspoken supporter of habitual recidivist criminal defendant and business partner with a registered sex offender, Alfonso Toddand now Riley Schillaci as well, dutifully spewing out 100% fact-free deceit-laden "counter" blogs to our verifiably factual blogs. 

Q. Mike, where's the alleged Villa "bullying" in all this? Our accounts are all true. Verifiably factual. And thoroughly documented w/ the ASD. You certainly don't like that we've gone so public with all this but that's tough shit. And because you've interjected yourself into all this, we intend to subpoena you and put you through a grueling and hopefully humiliating deposition as well. Happy New Year.

Readers (and stalkers) ... join, follow, like, comment, and share the discussion-in-progress at My Facebook Page.

And keep checking back for LVS's explosive exposé exclusive and thrilling conclusion regarding what happens (legally) to the Lehigh Valley blogosphere cyber bully stooges who were foiled yet again in their futile attempts to silence Bill Villa Facts & Truth. This time, criminal charges from outside of colluding crony-crooked 'n cozy Lehigh and Northampton counties are involved. Oopsie.

UpDate 12/19/13 > DUMB-ASS CONFESSION 

Email, Incoming, from Riley Schillaci, 12/19/13, 6:41 pm.

Congratulations Sherlock. You cracked the case. I said in the email that ... [Redacted | Criminal Charges Pending]

Don't miss Bill Villa Facts & Truth w/ Bobby Gunther Walsh on WAEB News Talk Radio AM 790 debuting in January 2014.

Get BV on WAEB Details @ Facebook

Bullies in the ASD


My son is in first grade in the Allentown School District and he is already being bullied. He came home with red marks on his neck and shoulders from some kid, let's call him "Danny" grabbing and pinching him. After hearing my son's repeated complaints about Danny, I spoke with the teacher and also sent her an e-mail. She told me that both kids are "on" each other a lot. My son says he never starts anything and that Danny tries to get him in trouble and says cruel things. I taught first grade, so I know what it is like. Kids like to tattle and bother each other. But I do want my son to feel safe at school. His father has taught him to defend himself, and to handle these kinds of problems on his own, but I usually tell him to stay away from certain kids because he could get in trouble for fighting. And I have seen how some older hooligans tease him and even threaten to punch him for no reason on the playground right in front of me. Of course, their parents are no where in sight.


Whenever I question whether the kids are properly supervised, the principal seems to always defend the teacher, and even gives the perpetrator the benefit of the doubt. It's always "both boys." Why can't he be on our side? My son may have his faults, but he is usually a good boy and behaves well at school. (He only got in trouble once, for talking about kissing a girl.) I did not imagine the red marks, they were real, but the teacher insists that she would never allow the kids to touch each other.



Considering the fact that first grade boys were raped by an older student in the bathroom at Central Elementary, and the school tried to cover this up, I think I have every right to be concerned about my child's safety. Well, Mr. Dottie demanded that the principal do something and take our side for a change. I guess my approach of being nice was not working. He's not that wishy washy. They finally moved Danny to a different table, and maybe now they will know that we mean business. Maybe they will pay more attention to the needs of my child, as well as those "special needs" kids.











Bullies in the ASD


My son is in first grade in the Allentown School District and he is already being bullied. He came home with red marks on his neck and shoulders from some kid, let's call him "Danny" grabbing and pinching him. After hearing my son's repeated complaints about Danny, I spoke with the teacher and also sent her an e-mail. She told me that both kids are "on" each other a lot. My son says he never starts anything and that Danny tries to get him in trouble and says cruel things. I taught first grade, so I know what it is like. Kids like to tattle and bother each other. But I do want my son to feel safe at school. His father has taught him to defend himself, and to handle these kinds of problems on his own, but I usually tell him to stay away from certain kids because he could get in trouble for fighting. And I have seen how some older hooligans tease him and even threaten to punch him for no reason on the playground right in front of me. Of course, their parents are no where in sight.


Whenever I question whether the kids are properly supervised, the principal seems to always defend the teacher, and even gives the perpetrator the benefit of the doubt. It's always "both boys." Why can't he be on our side? My son may have his faults, but he is usually a good boy and behaves well at school. (He only got in trouble once, for talking about kissing a girl.) I did not imagine the red marks, they were real, but the teacher insists that she would never allow the kids to touch each other.



Considering the fact that first grade boys were raped by an older student in the bathroom at Central Elementary, and the school tried to cover this up, I think I have every right to be concerned about my child's safety. Well, Mr. Dottie demanded that the principal do something and take our side for a change. I guess my approach of being nice was not working. He's not that wishy washy. They finally moved Danny to a different table, and maybe now they will know that we mean business. Maybe they will pay more attention to the needs of my child, as well as those "special needs" kids.











Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Sunday, January 27, 2008

"The Naked Truth?"... Salacious Headlines, or Concern for Citizens?


Yes Morning Call, I would LOVE the "naked truth" for a change, and less turd polishing, but I don't believe I will find it in your paper.


"The naked truth: No privacy online"


"Parkland Porn has been seen by many"


"DA to Parkland students: Delete Porn... or else."


These are some of the Morning Call's headlines in the past few days. I highlighted the important words. And let's not forget the editorial by the concerned MC editorial staff:


"Take Pornography at school seriously"


Okay, but give me a good reason why I should take this newspaper seriously. Not since their coverage of the Jon Acerra case(remember how many times we were reminded of how he was allegedly sitting NAKED at his desk watching PORN?) has the word porn or naked been used so many times. If the MC is so concerned about children and porn, then why did they put that picture of a half naked pole dancing stripper on the front page last month where young children could see it?


I am very concerned about kids and pornography and the garbage kids see on MTV and VH-1 which verges on pornography and is disgraceful (ever see that tawdry reality show with Brett Michaels?). I am shocked at what I see at MySpace. I would never allow my child to have a cell phone, and I monitor what he sees on the internet and tv. Yes, child pornography is a serious crime. But is the porn from Parkland more serious than crimes that kill people or endanger their lives? Allentown sure has some of that going on, shouldn't we know if the DA is spending his time investigating it? This porn story mentions DA Jim Martin's name more times than any other story I have read lately. He sure had a lot to say about porn at Parkland, according to the Morning Call, but not much or anything to say about the closing of Hary's Bar due to CRIME (he wasn't even at the press conference), Marge Szulborski embezzling 2.5 million (the investigation is closed.), the drug raid and murder at the V.I.P. Barbershop, or other murders in Allentown.


Well, SEX sells papers, or so the MC editors think. I am cancelling my subscription ASAP. And that new Tribune owner Sam Zell dropping the f-bomb at Symphony Hall was a really classy performance. I guess that "bellyin' up to the bar" "maverick" strait talkin' style is refreshing, according to columnist Bill White. Smells like more turds to me.

"The Naked Truth?"... Salacious Headlines, or Concern for Citizens?


Yes Morning Call, I would LOVE the "naked truth" for a change, and less turd polishing, but I don't believe I will find it in your paper.


"The naked truth: No privacy online"


"Parkland Porn has been seen by many"


"DA to Parkland students: Delete Porn... or else."


These are some of the Morning Call's headlines in the past few days. I highlighted the important words. And let's not forget the editorial by the concerned MC editorial staff:


"Take Pornography at school seriously"


Okay, but give me a good reason why I should take this newspaper seriously. Not since their coverage of the Jon Acerra case(remember how many times we were reminded of how he was allegedly sitting NAKED at his desk watching PORN?) has the word porn or naked been used so many times. If the MC is so concerned about children and porn, then why did they put that picture of a half naked pole dancing stripper on the front page last month where young children could see it?


I am very concerned about kids and pornography and the garbage kids see on MTV and VH-1 which verges on pornography and is disgraceful (ever see that tawdry reality show with Brett Michaels?). I am shocked at what I see at MySpace. I would never allow my child to have a cell phone, and I monitor what he sees on the internet and tv. Yes, child pornography is a serious crime. But is the porn from Parkland more serious than crimes that kill people or endanger their lives? Allentown sure has some of that going on, shouldn't we know if the DA is spending his time investigating it? This porn story mentions DA Jim Martin's name more times than any other story I have read lately. He sure had a lot to say about porn at Parkland, according to the Morning Call, but not much or anything to say about the closing of Hary's Bar due to CRIME (he wasn't even at the press conference), Marge Szulborski embezzling 2.5 million (the investigation is closed.), the drug raid and murder at the V.I.P. Barbershop, or other murders in Allentown.


Well, SEX sells papers, or so the MC editors think. I am cancelling my subscription ASAP. And that new Tribune owner Sam Zell dropping the f-bomb at Symphony Hall was a really classy performance. I guess that "bellyin' up to the bar" "maverick" strait talkin' style is refreshing, according to columnist Bill White. Smells like more turds to me.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

I Wanna Be Sedated!

As I was strolling down the aisles at the King's super mega-plex market today I could not believe what came blaring through the sound system. The Ramones, "I Wanna Be Sedated!" What's kinda funny is that the store was filled with senior citizens, some in wheel chairs, some with oxygen, some moving very slowly. But not for long. That song really got the place jumpin.' Or at least, it got me jumpin'. I don't think too many other people were listening, or even noticed the music. I had to try really hard not to bust out laughing. It's so hard not to sing along or dance while listening to the Ramones. "Bam, bam,bam,bam, ba bam, bam, bam, bam, I wanna be sedated."

I really enjoy my time shopping with the seniors. It's very pleasant. And I always feel good when I have the opportunity to help one of them. It's okay, because I am not in a hurry. I love it when the senior greeter says "Good morning young lady" That makes me feel special, even though he calls all the women "young ladies.". He always wears a red bow-tie. What a charmer! Speaking of red, I think I might join the Red Hat Society when I turn 50. I like their philosophy of just having fun. Maybe I can turn them on to The Ramones.

Well, I don't really know what the point of this post is, other than to point out that sometimes tuning in to the background music can make your day a little brighter.




I Wanna Be Sedated!

As I was strolling down the aisles at the King's super mega-plex market today I could not believe what came blaring through the sound system. The Ramones, "I Wanna Be Sedated!" What's kinda funny is that the store was filled with senior citizens, some in wheel chairs, some with oxygen, some moving very slowly. But not for long. That song really got the place jumpin.' Or at least, it got me jumpin'. I don't think too many other people were listening, or even noticed the music. I had to try really hard not to bust out laughing. It's so hard not to sing along or dance while listening to the Ramones. "Bam, bam,bam,bam, ba bam, bam, bam, bam, I wanna be sedated."

I really enjoy my time shopping with the seniors. It's very pleasant. And I always feel good when I have the opportunity to help one of them. It's okay, because I am not in a hurry. I love it when the senior greeter says "Good morning young lady" That makes me feel special, even though he calls all the women "young ladies.". He always wears a red bow-tie. What a charmer! Speaking of red, I think I might join the Red Hat Society when I turn 50. I like their philosophy of just having fun. Maybe I can turn them on to The Ramones.

Well, I don't really know what the point of this post is, other than to point out that sometimes tuning in to the background music can make your day a little brighter.




Wednesday, January 23, 2008

I Beg Your Pardon, I Never Promised You a Fee-Free Rose Garden

Allentown officials are proposing a permit fee for bridal parties who use the public Rose Garden for ceremonies and/ or photos. Reservations are required.

For many years there has been a good system of congeniality and cooperative sharing of this space, especially on weekends when the weather is nice. If it gets crowded, bridal parties have used a rotating system to share the space.

Well, apparently, according to the Morning Call's article http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5rose.6227890jan20,0,6677686.story
brides have repeatedly been complaining about having to wait in line on their busy day, and Allentown officials are acting. They want to create peace of mind for the bride, and at the same time, generate income for the city. They say the money will go right back into the Rose Garden. They will need to buy chairs and tents people can rent, make brochures and signs. They will also need to hire a law enforcement official to monitor this system, kinda like a park ranger. Bethlehem has a Rose Garden. They take reservations, but they do not charge a fee.


I guess they will have to work out all the details of this program, and maybe it will be positive, but I still think public parks should be free. Allentown has so many beautiful parks, and since I do not have a back yard I am grateful for our parks. Will people still be able to walk through the public Rose Garden if a paying party is using it? The article says it "would be open for anyone to use for free if the venue is clear." This could be confusing.











I Beg Your Pardon, I Never Promised You a Fee-Free Rose Garden

Allentown officials are proposing a permit fee for bridal parties who use the public Rose Garden for ceremonies and/ or photos. Reservations are required.

For many years there has been a good system of congeniality and cooperative sharing of this space, especially on weekends when the weather is nice. If it gets crowded, bridal parties have used a rotating system to share the space.

Well, apparently, according to the Morning Call's article http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5rose.6227890jan20,0,6677686.story
brides have repeatedly been complaining about having to wait in line on their busy day, and Allentown officials are acting. They want to create peace of mind for the bride, and at the same time, generate income for the city. They say the money will go right back into the Rose Garden. They will need to buy chairs and tents people can rent, make brochures and signs. They will also need to hire a law enforcement official to monitor this system, kinda like a park ranger. Bethlehem has a Rose Garden. They take reservations, but they do not charge a fee.


I guess they will have to work out all the details of this program, and maybe it will be positive, but I still think public parks should be free. Allentown has so many beautiful parks, and since I do not have a back yard I am grateful for our parks. Will people still be able to walk through the public Rose Garden if a paying party is using it? The article says it "would be open for anyone to use for free if the venue is clear." This could be confusing.











Saturday, January 19, 2008

Sloppy Reporting? or Transparent Agenda?


http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b2_5auditside.6223668jan15,0,893416.story

The Morning Call's January 15 local section headline decreed: Szulborski case is closed, Lehigh County DA says

and you can almost hear DA Jim Martin's booming voice saying this (although reading from prepared notes and still stumbling several times).

But wait a second, "closed" means over, ended, done with, finis, Marge has left the building, doesn't it?

Hmm, read on, second paragraph says, "The investigation [italics added] into Marge Szulborski's theft is concluded,'' District Attorney James Martin said.

Oh well now that's very different, isn't it?

Only the investigation is "closed."

Read farther:

"Szulborski, 73, was charged in 2006 with embezzling $2.5 million of township sewer funds from 1999 to 2006."

"It's unknown if Szulborski will be able to stand trial. She had a portion of a brain tumor removed in August and continues to battle brain cancer."

"A status conference on Szulborski's medical condition is scheduled for Feb. 11 before Lehigh County Judge Kelly Banach."

Oh. Okay. So Marge may indeed have to stand trial and pay the piper.

Q. Was this just sloppy Morning Call reporting? Or is The Morning Call overzealously trying to get this case wrapped up (in the public's mind anyway) ASAP and the sooner the better or what? And if yes, why? Inquiring minds want to know.

Sloppy Reporting? or Transparent Agenda?


http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b2_5auditside.6223668jan15,0,893416.story

The Morning Call's January 15 local section headline decreed: Szulborski case is closed, Lehigh County DA says

and you can almost hear DA Jim Martin's booming voice saying this (although reading from prepared notes and still stumbling several times).

But wait a second, "closed" means over, ended, done with, finis, Marge has left the building, doesn't it?

Hmm, read on, second paragraph says, "The investigation [italics added] into Marge Szulborski's theft is concluded,'' District Attorney James Martin said.

Oh well now that's very different, isn't it?

Only the investigation is "closed."

Read farther:

"Szulborski, 73, was charged in 2006 with embezzling $2.5 million of township sewer funds from 1999 to 2006."

"It's unknown if Szulborski will be able to stand trial. She had a portion of a brain tumor removed in August and continues to battle brain cancer."

"A status conference on Szulborski's medical condition is scheduled for Feb. 11 before Lehigh County Judge Kelly Banach."

Oh. Okay. So Marge may indeed have to stand trial and pay the piper.

Q. Was this just sloppy Morning Call reporting? Or is The Morning Call overzealously trying to get this case wrapped up (in the public's mind anyway) ASAP and the sooner the better or what? And if yes, why? Inquiring minds want to know.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Zell Drops F- Bomb at Symphony Hall



So now I can understand why our local paper chooses to showcase a foul-mouthed young woman on it's front page ( American Idol contestant, Allentown's own Alexis Cohen .) That's all I am going to say about her.





According to a report in Jan. 18th's Morning Call, Sam Zell, the new owner of the newspaper's parent co. Tribune delivered his notes-free speech at Symphony Hall "with the aplomb of an experienced stage performer." The audience of Morning Call employees clapped in rounds of applause and cheers. A highlight of this first class performance was Zell's response to a question about workplace diversity to which he replied "I'm f---- color-blind. I'm interested in excellence." He wants The Morning Call to be like a "petri dish of innovation." (in other words, more like scientific turd-polishing) How refreshing.



If his somewhat vulgar approach to journalism and the Morning Call's enthusiastic response to it is any indicator of what's to come I think I might just have to cancel my subscription. I thought newspapers had higher standards than MTV and Reality TV. Should journalists adapt to this new world we live in where foul language is standard fare and perfectly acceptable? Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions too soon, and Zell's just a no-nonsense straight talker, but the F-Bomb at Symphony Hall!!? That kinda takes my focus away from considering any of the innovative ideas or approaches he might have.

Zell Drops F- Bomb at Symphony Hall



So now I can understand why our local paper chooses to showcase a foul-mouthed young woman on it's front page ( American Idol contestant, Allentown's own Alexis Cohen .) That's all I am going to say about her.





According to a report in Jan. 18th's Morning Call, Sam Zell, the new owner of the newspaper's parent co. Tribune delivered his notes-free speech at Symphony Hall "with the aplomb of an experienced stage performer." The audience of Morning Call employees clapped in rounds of applause and cheers. A highlight of this first class performance was Zell's response to a question about workplace diversity to which he replied "I'm f---- color-blind. I'm interested in excellence." He wants The Morning Call to be like a "petri dish of innovation." (in other words, more like scientific turd-polishing) How refreshing.



If his somewhat vulgar approach to journalism and the Morning Call's enthusiastic response to it is any indicator of what's to come I think I might just have to cancel my subscription. I thought newspapers had higher standards than MTV and Reality TV. Should journalists adapt to this new world we live in where foul language is standard fare and perfectly acceptable? Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions too soon, and Zell's just a no-nonsense straight talker, but the F-Bomb at Symphony Hall!!? That kinda takes my focus away from considering any of the innovative ideas or approaches he might have.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Big Media Controls Debates


So many debates on TV I just can't keep up. What scares me is that TV might be having too much of an influence on voters. Information is good, and I want to make informed decisions when I vote, but the information being provided by the major television networks is being filtered by the people who own the TV networks. They decide whether or not to exclude a Dennis Kucinich or a Ron Paul. Whether you like them or not, both Kucinich and Paul have millions of followers. In fact Paul did twice as well as Giuliani in the Michigan primary (6%). I have not seen Giuliani excluded from any debates. In his words "that's absurd."

I think the broadcasters have done a pretty poor job in choosing questions during debates. Many of the same questions keep getting repeated. During last night's Dem. debate a heckler in the audience yelled out "these are race-based questions." I thought he said "race-baiting questions." After the first thirty or so minutes of the race issue, I turned off the debate, and missed the next segment which was about the economy. What about education?

I guess I could just choose to turn it off. But it's not right that the broadcast media has so much influence on the election and that they can make arbitrary decisions about excluding candidates.
Please click on the above image "television reaches a new zenith."

Big Media Controls Debates


So many debates on TV I just can't keep up. What scares me is that TV might be having too much of an influence on voters. Information is good, and I want to make informed decisions when I vote, but the information being provided by the major television networks is being filtered by the people who own the TV networks. They decide whether or not to exclude a Dennis Kucinich or a Ron Paul. Whether you like them or not, both Kucinich and Paul have millions of followers. In fact Paul did twice as well as Giuliani in the Michigan primary (6%). I have not seen Giuliani excluded from any debates. In his words "that's absurd."

I think the broadcasters have done a pretty poor job in choosing questions during debates. Many of the same questions keep getting repeated. During last night's Dem. debate a heckler in the audience yelled out "these are race-based questions." I thought he said "race-baiting questions." After the first thirty or so minutes of the race issue, I turned off the debate, and missed the next segment which was about the economy. What about education?

I guess I could just choose to turn it off. But it's not right that the broadcast media has so much influence on the election and that they can make arbitrary decisions about excluding candidates.
Please click on the above image "television reaches a new zenith."

Thursday, January 10, 2008

No Child Left Behind: Raising the Standards or Lowering the Bar?


As some of you may know I am a former ASD art teacher. I have my bachelor's degree in art with a concentration in art history from Moravian College, and my teaching certificate in art education from Kutztown Univ., and I'm still working on my masters. I left teaching six years ago because I had a baby and decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Now I see things from both a parent's perspective, and an educator's perspective. My son currently attends 1st grade in the ASD.

I am on the school PTA, and I volunteer at school. At our last PTA meeting the principal told us about the upcoming PSSA testing. He said "Here at ---- School our lives revolve around testing." That sentence really disturbs me. Shouldn't an educator's life revolve around the students and giving them the best education possible? But this is America in 2008. I have seen the changes since the federal No Child Left Behind Act(NCLB) has been implemented and I believe that focusing on testing does not raise standards, but it actually lowers the bar by dumbing down the curriculum. Here's why.

With all the focus on reading and math, other subjects get ignored. When kids cannot make connections across the curriculum, then learning becomes less meaningful. A curriculum that encourages integrating subjects like reading and math with art, music, science, social studies, civics, etc. motivates students and prepares them for real-life experiences. Research has proven that children who study music and art score better on standardized tests. I believe if you are not giving students this kind of well-rounded education, then you are dumbing down the curriculum, and not encouraging critical thinking skills and creativity. These skills are necessary for children to make it in the real world.

Of course kids need to learn the basics so there should be standards. I think those standards should be set at a local level, not by the federal govt. An urban school district like Allentown is under a lot of pressure to meet the standards, and if they don't, they lose what little funding they have. NCLB does not provide the additional funding needed for special programs to help at-risk kids, kids who don't speak English, and special needs kids to score well on tests.

Poverty is one of the big reasons we have so many at-risk kids. I think THAT needs to be addressed first. Public education has been around for a long time, so it is not fair to just blame teachers and say public education is a failure. Many kids in urban school districts are entering first grade with little or no language skills, they are hungry, they are not taken care of at home, some are homeless or in foster care. If basic needs are not met, a child will not be ready to learn. An urban teacher wears many hats including care taker, social worker, psychologist and disciplinarian, working with little resources. I know, I have been there and it is a hard but rewarding job.

I think parents, and tax-paying citizens need to be aware of what is really going on in our schools. Public education and NCLB is a complicated mess, and I believe the children are the unfortunate victims of too much govt. bureaucracy and bad decision making. I am fortunate enough to be able to supplement my son with extra learning activities at home. Many people are not that fortunate. Volunteer at a public school and see what is going on. Don't be afraid to ask about the curriculum.
I know I have just scratched the surface here on NCLB. I want the best education for my child, and I had hoped he would get that at a public school, but what I see really worries me. I am not in the financial position to send him to a private school or to live in an affluent district.
(I know this is a controversial issue, so please be considerate of others while commenting.)















No Child Left Behind: Raising the Standards or Lowering the Bar?


As some of you may know I am a former ASD art teacher. I have my bachelor's degree in art with a concentration in art history from Moravian College, and my teaching certificate in art education from Kutztown Univ., and I'm still working on my masters. I left teaching six years ago because I had a baby and decided to be a stay-at-home mom. Now I see things from both a parent's perspective, and an educator's perspective. My son currently attends 1st grade in the ASD.

I am on the school PTA, and I volunteer at school. At our last PTA meeting the principal told us about the upcoming PSSA testing. He said "Here at ---- School our lives revolve around testing." That sentence really disturbs me. Shouldn't an educator's life revolve around the students and giving them the best education possible? But this is America in 2008. I have seen the changes since the federal No Child Left Behind Act(NCLB) has been implemented and I believe that focusing on testing does not raise standards, but it actually lowers the bar by dumbing down the curriculum. Here's why.

With all the focus on reading and math, other subjects get ignored. When kids cannot make connections across the curriculum, then learning becomes less meaningful. A curriculum that encourages integrating subjects like reading and math with art, music, science, social studies, civics, etc. motivates students and prepares them for real-life experiences. Research has proven that children who study music and art score better on standardized tests. I believe if you are not giving students this kind of well-rounded education, then you are dumbing down the curriculum, and not encouraging critical thinking skills and creativity. These skills are necessary for children to make it in the real world.

Of course kids need to learn the basics so there should be standards. I think those standards should be set at a local level, not by the federal govt. An urban school district like Allentown is under a lot of pressure to meet the standards, and if they don't, they lose what little funding they have. NCLB does not provide the additional funding needed for special programs to help at-risk kids, kids who don't speak English, and special needs kids to score well on tests.

Poverty is one of the big reasons we have so many at-risk kids. I think THAT needs to be addressed first. Public education has been around for a long time, so it is not fair to just blame teachers and say public education is a failure. Many kids in urban school districts are entering first grade with little or no language skills, they are hungry, they are not taken care of at home, some are homeless or in foster care. If basic needs are not met, a child will not be ready to learn. An urban teacher wears many hats including care taker, social worker, psychologist and disciplinarian, working with little resources. I know, I have been there and it is a hard but rewarding job.

I think parents, and tax-paying citizens need to be aware of what is really going on in our schools. Public education and NCLB is a complicated mess, and I believe the children are the unfortunate victims of too much govt. bureaucracy and bad decision making. I am fortunate enough to be able to supplement my son with extra learning activities at home. Many people are not that fortunate. Volunteer at a public school and see what is going on. Don't be afraid to ask about the curriculum.
I know I have just scratched the surface here on NCLB. I want the best education for my child, and I had hoped he would get that at a public school, but what I see really worries me. I am not in the financial position to send him to a private school or to live in an affluent district.
(I know this is a controversial issue, so please be considerate of others while commenting.)